If I Ain't Got You
Alicia Keys featuring Usher Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Some people live just for the fame
Some people live for the power, yeah
Some people live just to play the game
Some people think that the physical things define what's within
And I've been there before, and that life's a bore
So full of the superficial
Some people want it all
But I don't want nothing at all
If it ain't you, baby
If I ain't got you, baby
Some people want diamond rings
Some just want everything
But everything means nothing
If I ain't got you, yeah
Some people search for a fountain
That promises forever young (you know)
Some people need three dozen roses
And that's the only way to prove you love them
Hand me the world on a silver platter
And what good would it be
With no one to share, with no one who truly cares for me
Some people want it all
But I don't want nothing at all
If it ain't you, baby
If I ain't got you, baby
Some people want diamond rings
Some just want everything
But everything means nothing
If I ain't got you, you, you
Some people want it all
But I don't want nothing at all
If it ain't you, baby
If I ain't got you, baby
Some people want diamond rings
Some just want everything
But everything means nothing
If I ain't got you, yeah
If I ain't got you with me, baby, oh, ooh
Said nothing in this whole wide world don't mean a thing
If I ain't got you with me, baby
The song "If I Ain't Got You" by Alicia Keys tackles the idea of the different things that people yearn for in life. The opening lyrics talk about how some people live for fame, fortune, power, or to play the game. However, the author does not find fulfillment in such superficial things that the world offers. She has already experienced such a life and found it to be a bore. The song highlights how one’s worth cannot be attributed to material possessions alone. The idea that physical things don’t define what’s inside is a key message conveyed by the song.
Alicia Keys also touches on how people think that love can be bought with material possessions. For instance, she mentions how some people believe that love can be measured by the number of roses given or the provision of material things. However, she stresses that the things that count most are the little moments and experiences that one shares with those they love.
The chorus relays the song's ultimate message. Some people want everything in this world, including diamond rings, but the author of the song does not want anything if they do not have love from their companion. The things people think they want may not mean anything if they cannot share it with someone they love. The repetition of “but everything means nothing if I ain’t got you” drives the message home.
Line by Line Meaning
Some people live for the fortune
There are people who believe that money and wealth are the most important things in life.
Some people live just for the fame
Similarly, some people believe that fame and recognition are the ultimate goals in life.
Some people live for the power, yeah
Certain individuals are motivated by the desire to have control and authority over others.
Some people live just to play the game
Some people enjoy participating in activities and competitions, regardless of the outcome.
Some people think that the physical things define what's within
There are some individuals who believe that material possessions are a reflection of one's personality and character.
And I've been there before, and that life's a bore
The singer has experienced this worldview before, and finds it dull and unfulfilling.
So full of the superficial
The singer believes that this focus on material things is shallow and lacking in depth.
Some people want it all
There are people who desire every possible thing that life has to offer.
But I don't want nothing at all
However, the artist does not share this desire for material possessions and success.
If it ain't you, baby
The only thing the artist truly wants and needs is her significant other.
If I ain't got you, baby
The singer recognizes that without her partner, she would feel incomplete and unhappy.
Some people want diamond rings
There are those who believe that expensive gifts and jewelry are true signs of love and affection.
Some just want everything
Other people have a more general desire for all possible forms of material success and wealth.
But everything means nothing
Despite the widespread belief in the value of material possessions, the singer feels that they ultimately provide little meaning or happiness.
If I ain't got you, yeah
The singer believes that her partner is the only thing that truly gives her life significance and joy.
Some people search for a fountain
There are individuals who seek out magical or mythical sources of eternal youth or beauty.
That promises forever young (you know)
These fountains are often believed to have the power to keep one young and vibrant forever.
Some people need three dozen roses
Others believe that receiving expensive or excessive gifts is a necessary condition for feeling love and happiness.
And that's the only way to prove you love them
Some people require constant displays of affection and material exchange as proof of love.
Hand me the world on a silver platter
There are individuals who desire the entire world, handed to them on a shiny and costly platter.
And what good would it be
However, the artist believes that even if such a thing were possible, it would ultimately provide little satisfaction or real worth.
With no one to share, with no one who truly cares for me
Without someone to share in the experience and provide genuine care and love, any amount of material success would be meaningless to the artist.
If I ain't got you with me, baby, oh, ooh
The singer reiterates that the only thing that truly matters to her is her partner.
Said nothing in this whole wide world don't mean a thing
Without her loved one, the artist believes that nothing else in the world would have any value or significance.
If I ain't got you with me, baby
The singer repeats that her partner is the only thing that truly fills her heart and soul with meaning and purpose.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Alicia Augello-Cook
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@turner9324
Some people live for the fortune
Some people live just for the fame
Some people live for the power yeah
Some people live just to play the game
Some people think that the physical things
Define what's within
I've been there before
But that life's a bore
So full of the superficial
Some people want it all
But I don't want nothing at all
If it ain't you baby
If I ain't got you baby
Some people want diamond rings
Some just want everything
But everything means nothing
If I ain't got you
Some people search for a fountain
Promises forever young
Some people need three dozen roses
And that's the only way to prove you love them
Hand me the world on a silver platter
And what good would it be
No one to share, no one who truly cares for me
Some people want it all
But I don't want nothing at all
If it ain't you baby
If I ain't got you baby
Some people want diamond rings
Some just want everything
But everything means nothing
If I ain't got you
Some people want it all
But I don't want nothing at all
If it ain't you baby
If I ain't got you baby
Some people want diamond rings
Some just want everything
But everything means nothing
If I ain't got you
If I ain't got you with me baby
Nothing in this whole wide world don't mean a thing
If I ain't got you with me baby
@2xlarge513
Would you believe that in 2024 I still listen to this song and it continues to remind me of the good old days. Even the ones that have slipped my mind
@TheRileytv
And the fact he’s bring her out for the superbowl we finally might see them preform my boo and this!!!
@sofiharutyunyan9718
I am 20 years old and I listen to these beautiful real songs,and feel like I was there)
@saigonesepapaya
me too
@ChristopherPelnar
This song reminds me of my wife every time. I have never met anything in life as special as her. I have no interest in exploring the universe when the most beautiful thing in it is sitting right next to me. No star, no nebula, no galaxy could ever speak to my soul the way this girl has...
@namakaukasapatu605
Christopher Pelnar deep!!
@tylersprouse6861
Christopher Pelnar Wow so deep. Props to your love man
@Rebahschannel
WOW!!❤️
@jariz26
There are lots of other beautiful women out there...just saying
@Mark-te7xw
@@jariz26 And this man found his most gorgeous one.... Just saying